The Single Wife : 'Liane Moriarty meets Elin Hilderbrand in an addictive summer read'

by Ella Grey

  Feeling particularly lonely at one stage not long after the tragedy, Robin half contemplated leaving Manhattan and heading back home to Dublin. Yet, she knew in her heart of hearts that she wasn’t ready yet, if ever, to do that.

  No, her life was in New York and now that she had Ben, the city was home.

  Now he was practically dragging her along the path on the way to – from what she could make out – Grand Central terminal.

  “Seriously, where are we going?” she asked, struggling to keep up with him, especially in this heat.

  “I told you – it’s a surprise.”

  She knew better than to ask more questions, especially when he was in a mood like this. Her interest was very definitely piqued though, when they entered the cavernous train station and Ben headed immediately towards the ticket office beneath the clock.

  “We’re going on a train – at rush hour?” she said puzzled, trying to grab the ticket off him.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Ben put the tickets in his trousers pocket, hiding them away from view.

  Minutes later, the two headed down to one of the platforms, where a virtually fully boarded train awaited departure.

  “Ben, why are we going to Bronxville?” she asked seizing a free seat in one of the carriages.

  He winked at her. “Just wait and see.”

  Fifteen or so minutes passed after the train moved away from the station, and as Robin silently watched Uptown Manhattan rush past them, she thought she could guess what he was up to. Bronxville was a charming area located some fifteen miles north of Midtown, and she knew Ben wasn’t planning on going there today simply for a guided tour.

  “You’ve been house-hunting again, haven’t you?” she challenged him.

  Ben smiled boyishly. “OK, I admit, I couldn’t resist it. But this one is just perfect for us – just half an hour’s train ride from Grand Central, a really nice area and it’s even got a garden and a study – a small one, mind you, but –”

  “But you know I don’t want to move. I love where we are now. What is so important about having a house? We don’t need one – we’ve already got a loft that anyone would kill for, so why –?”

  “Just take a look at it first before you say anything, OK?”

  She could sense his irritation but wondered why on earth he kept doing this when he knew how much it bothered her.

  “OK.” She didn’t have the energy to argue. She would humour him – again – by going through the motions of taking a look at this house, with its lovely garden and its perfect study and all the rest. Then she would do as she always did and tell him that the place they had was perfect and why would they want to move all the way out to the suburbs?

  The latest object of Ben’s affection was a spacious single family home on a corner site with an attractive wooden porch all the way across the front.

  It had obviously been very well looked after, the two bedrooms were spacious and nicely decorated and the tiny garden that Ben had been so enthusiastic about was admittedly a welcoming oasis of calm, something that was difficult to find in New York at the best of times.

  Despite herself, Robin began to imagine the two of them sitting on that porch or in the garden on hot summer days, relaxing in the warm evening sun after another frantic day in city heat.

  For once, she could understand why he was so keen to get out of Manhattan, away from the noise, honking horns and hectic lifestyle. Yet the buzz, constant stream of activity, the traffic, the smells… the fact that the city was so full of life was what Robin loved about it.

  Still she mused, looking around the attractive, contemporary and – compared to their apartment – spacious house, she could picture herself living here.

  The village itself was idyllic – a lovely spot nicely nestled alongside the Bronx river, full of towering lush trees and charming, stately Tudor, Victorian and Colonial houses. Despite herself, she had to admit that this might be one of Ben’s better ideas.

  “So what do you think?” he asked, although Robin could tell by his expression that he knew she was impressed.

  “It’s not bad,” she said, giving nothing away.

  “You like it – I knew it.”

  “I said it’s not bad.”

  “Not bad? Robin, it’s perfect for us. You saw inside – there’s nothing to be done to it. The studio would be perfect for any work I bring home –” he nudged her, “so no more giving out about leaving my drawings all over the place. And look,” he indicated out the window, “how could you not want to live in a house with a garden like that?”

  “I know, but our place …”

  “You and I both know that we can’t stay there forever. We’re getting older now and although we’re not exactly geriatric it would be nice to put down roots somewhere – especially since you’ve made it quite clear that you’re not prepared to do that back home.”

  He was right. Goodness knows she had gone on enough about how her life was here and that she couldn’t see herself ever wanting to move back to Ireland. And while buying a house was one thing, buying one with Ben was a different kettle of fish altogether.

  She looked at him, her thoughts going a mile a minute. “I do like the house, it’s just… I’m not sure …”

  “What aren’t you sure about, Robin? What are you afraid of?”

  “I don’t know …”

  “Is it me – us? Are you not sure how you feel about us?”

  “That’s not it. You know I love you. It’s just – ”

  “Just what? Just that you’re still thinking about that gobshite, isn’t it…”

  “What?”

  “Are you worried the same thing will happen again? Because I’m telling you that it won’t. I won’t ever let you down nor hurt you either.”

  He looked at her, his dark eyes honest and open and in her heart Robin knew he was right. She did love him and she knew that he wouldn’t hurt her. The problem was that she had the power to hurt him. He might love her now but if he were to ever find out –

  “Hey we’ve been together a while now, and I think it’s time we took things to the next level,” Ben said, interrupting her thoughts. “We love one another, we’re committed and already living together, so why not take the plunge and get a place of our own?”

  “I suppose …” She knew it wasn’t fair to keep him hanging and yes, she truly did love him as much as … well, as much she could love anyone.

  Maybe he was right. Maybe she should just make the commitment, get the mortgage and buy the place.

  “OK,” she said, feeling a burst of adrenaline – for once, not from a syringe – but a natural high. Conflicting emotions rushed through her all at once, but she tried to concentrate on the positive. “Let’s do it. Let’s get a place of our own – let’s buy this house.”

  Ben’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” he asked, a huge grin on his face. “Are you absolutely positive?”

  “I’m absolutely positive,” she repeated before she could change her mind.

  Ben was already tapping numbers into his phone. “I’d better tell the realtor we’ll take it, otherwise a place like this will be snapped up in no time.”

  But later on the way back on the train listening to his excited chatter, she couldn’t help having second thoughts.

  She’d just made a decision to commit herself to this man for a long time – a very long time. And although she loved Ben dearly, Robin wondered how on earth she was going to tell him that buying a house together was the closest thing to full commitment she could ever give him.

  Anything beyond that wasn’t an option.

  11

  Olivia was late, unbelievably late. She was on duty at the rescue centre in little under an hour, she still had to drop Ellie off at her grandmother’s and it seemed as though the world was conspiring against her.

  Her daughter wasn’t any help either. She had picked today of all days to be contrary and was at that very moment standing in the hallway in a pair of pyjama bottoms. />
  “Don’t want to go to Grannie’s,” she said sulkily. “Don’t want to go with you – want to stay here on mine own.”

  “Honey, you know you can’t stay here on your own without Mommy. Anyway, don’t you want to see Granny? She’ll be very disappointed – she might cry.”

  “Grannies don’t cry, silly,” she giggled and Olivia thought that if Ellie’s humour lifted that easily she might just get away. At the best of times, her daughter was as stubborn as a mule and if she didn’t want to go, then she bloody well didn’t want to go.

  Sometimes she was so like Peter it hurt.

  “She would cry,” Olivia insisted, “and she’d cry even more if she saw you wearing your pyjamas instead of those nice jeans she bought you. The ones she got for your birthday with the pink flowers on them?” She crossed her fingers behind her back, and then exhaled a sigh of relief when Ellie turned and started up the stairs – hopefully willing to change.

  Ten minutes later, they were finally ready to leave. But the gods definitely weren’t with her today, Olivia thought, furiously searching for her car keys. Blast and damn it, she cursed inwardly as she opened cupboards and drawers, lifted newspapers and magazines, until finally she spied the elusive keys sticking out from under a pile of newly-dried washing.

  “OK, let’s go,” she said, buttoning Ellie’s jacket and heading outside.

  Then her face fell. A Land Rover, likely belonging to someone visiting next door had partly blocked her entrance. In fairness there was just enough room for her to reverse out, but she would have to be painstakingly careful. Great, more time lost…

  She settled Ellie in her car seat and proceeded to inch her way past the other car’s tailgate. It was a bit nerve-wracking though because she was reversing blind out onto the road. She couldn’t take any chances either with Ellie in the back.

  Olivia’s was the last in the row of semi-detached houses on Cherrywood Green and her gateway was right at the corner of the main entrance, which any cars entering tended to take very quickly. She prayed that at this hour of the morning, things would be that bit quieter.

  Beep! Beep!

  Olivia jumped. So much for it being quiet, she thought, moving the car forward and craning her neck behind to try and see what was happening. Some drivers just wouldn’t give an inch, would they? And because she couldn’t see a thing over that monstrous Land Rover, she was never going to get out of here.

  She was just about to release the handbrake and try again when in her wing-mirror, she saw someone who appeared to be waving her on. Well, thank goodness for that, she thought – must be the Land Rover owner. But why the hell didn’t the guy just move the bloody thing?

  Soon thanks to her saviour and much to her relief, she was safely out on the road. She looked across and was about to wave her thanks and move off when surprised recognition dawned – and not just for Olivia. The man, the ‘text guy’ as Leah laughingly called him, looked equally surprised to see her.

  “Oh! Hello again,” she said, winding down her window as he approached.

  “Hello again, yourself,” he said his dark eyes as warm and lively as she remembered. “You live here too?”

  Too? Surely he couldn’t be one of her neighbours? She would have noticed if someone that cute had been living in the vicinity and if she hadn’t, then Maeve McGrath from down the road certainly would have. Her gossipy sixty-odd- year-old neighbour had a radar for spotting attractive, male neighbours suitable for ‘misfortunate and manless’ Olivia.

  He must have just moved in.

  “Yes this is my house, and if it weren’t for that tank,” she added wryly, “I’d be out and gone already.”

  “I was on my way back from the shop and I saw you struggling, so I said I’d give a hand. I had no idea it was you though,” he grinned. “Hey, speaking of which – did your friend pass her driving test that time?”

  Olivia shook her head ruefully. “No, poor Leah. She had a terrible time actually, so there would have been no celebrations after all.”

  “That’s a pity. But, you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve been extra careful since. No more making arrangements with complete strangers.”

  “Me too.” Olivia blushed slightly at the memory.

  “That was mad, wasn’t it?” he said, shaking his head. “Two eejits sitting in a pub waiting for one another and neither of us had a clue.” He laughed. “And your face when I answered the phone – an absolute picture!”

  Olivia laughed too. “For a second there I thought I had been set up by one of those hidden camera shows or something.”

  “Mommy, I want to see Granny!” Ellie wailed. Strapped into her car seat which she hated, she was getting impatient.

  Matt peered in, having spotted her for the first time. “Hello there,” he said easily. “What’s your name? Oh, don’t tell me,” he added before she could answer. “I bet it’s something like Barbie, ‘cos you have lovely blonde hair – just like Barbie.”

  Ellie giggled. “I’m not Barbie,” she said delighted. “I’m Ellie.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Ellie.” Matt reached in to shake her hand and Olivia nearly fell off the seat when Ellie offered her own in return. Olivia had had one or two dates since Peter, but none of them had gone any further than just that – a date. Probably because Ellie caused such a ruckus and behaved like the child from hell she thought wryly.

  But Matt was obviously well used to and very comfortable with children, and then Olivia remembered him mentioning before that he had a young son.

  “Matt, breakfast!” a woman called faintly from the doorway of a house across the green and confirmed Olivia’s slightly deflating conclusion that, of course, Matt was taken. No wonder Maeve’s radar hadn’t detected him – there was no point.

  But if he lived across the green, he hadn’t been there that long, otherwise she would surely have noticed him before now. Obviously one of many ‘blow-ins’, she thought using the Lakeview locals’ slang.

  Matt turned towards his wife and put a hand up as if to signal he was on his way. Then he turned back and grimaced. “Better go,” he said. “Catherine can be dangerous with a frying pan.”

  Olivia smiled at him. “Thanks again for helping us out.”

  “No problem.” He stood back as she went to move away. “Nice seeing you again,”

  “You too,” she said, moving away from the kerb.

  “Bye, Barb– I mean, Ellie!” Matt gave her a little wink and, thrilled Ellie waved happily back.

  Casting a quick glance at Matt’s departing figure in her rear-view mirror, Olivia couldn’t help thinking that it was a very rare man indeed who could put a beaming smile on the faces of both Gallagher women.

  12

  Across the green, Catherine stood at the doorway and watched Matt fawning all over some woman.

  Who the hell was she? she wondered, her stomach plummeting as she began to feel an all-too-familiar niggle of suspicion.

  She couldn’t believe it when she’d looked out the window and had seen him leaning casually against some strange woman’s car, chatting and joking as if he’d known her forever.

  How did he know her though? He couldn’t have got to know the locals already, could he?

  She knew he loved going to that coffee shop - the Heartbreak Café down town - whereas Catherine wasn’t too crazy about it, since everyone seemed way too friendly and interested in your business. That attractive waitress, Nina especially.

  Was it just like Dublin, where Matt seemed to be on friendly terms with everyone in the apartment building – including the brunette who lived down the hall?

  Catherine didn’t like this at all. She’d thought that moving away from the city to this quiet little town would be ideal. Ideal for helping Matt to focus less on work and more on Adam and family life – the important things.

  The last thing Catherine needed was the love of her life focusing on smiley attractive women living across the road.

  13

  The following
lunchtime at Olivia’s invitation, Leah called over with an armful of Sunday papers and a rumbling tummy.

  Josh was working Sundays at the DIY store he managed, and Olivia was glad of the opportunity to get Leah on her own. Although she often invited her to Lakeview, this time she had a particular motive – she desperately wanted to confide in someone about Matt.

  “And what are you going to do about him?” Leah wanted to know and Olivia glared at her. “What? You’re the one going around with the glazed look in your eyes…”

  She blushed. “I just can’t stop thinking about him. He just has this lovely way about him and he’s so friendly –”

  “But he’s taken,” Leah interjected. “He might be lovely, he might be friendly and Ellie might have taken to him, but he’s taken.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “It’s just typical, isn’t it? The only man who has made my heart beat faster in years and he has to be married.”

  It was true. Olivia couldn’t remember the last time she had even looked at a man with anything other than passing interest. The few she’d been out with recently hadn’t appealed to her all that much – she’d gone out with them more for the sake of moving on than anything else.

  But Matt was different and Olivia suspected that it wasn’t just one side-sided. She remembered the way his eyes lit up when he recognised her in the car. And how he had said “See you again sometime” before she drove away. There was meaning there, definitely. He wasn’t just being nice to her – he liked her too.

  When she mentioned this to Leah, she wrinkled her nose. “If that’s the case, he doesn’t sound like such a nice guy to me. Chatting up and flirting with other women – would you like to be married to someone like that?”

  “It wasn’t like that,” Olivia insisted, although she supposed her friend was right. “He just seemed really, really nice, that’s all.”

  “This really isn’t like you.”

  “What?”

  “Going all gooey-eyed over some bald, aging, married Lothario.”